Hundreds of members of New York's Jewish community braved traffic and security to gather at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza near the United Nations. The rally, organised by United Jewish Appeal and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, aimed to urge world leaders to address the growing threat of antisemitism. The event featured several interfaith speakers and survivors of antisemitic hate crimes from around the world.
The rally's keynote speakers highlighted the urgent need for action against antisemitism. Eric Goldstein, chief executive of the UJA-Federation of New York, stated that world leaders were not doing enough to address the issue. Devorah Halberstam, whose son Ari was murdered in a 1994 terror attack on the Brooklyn Bridge, delivered an emotional speech, calling on leaders to take immediate action against antisemitism.
Several speakers criticised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, questioning his commitment to the city's Jewish community. Anti-Defamation League chief executive Jonathan Greenblatt condemned the "deliberate passivity in the face of antisemitism," likening it to complicity. George Zamot, a United Parcel Service driver who intervened in a July stabbing attack on the Upper West Side, also spoke at the rally.
The event also showcased moments of community and unity in the face of adversity. Nova festival survivor Shalev Biton gave remarks while translating the speech of Younes Alkarnawi, the Bedouin man who saved his life. The rally's audience dwindled as the evening wore on, but the event remained a significant display of solidarity against antisemitism.
The rally follows recent public gatherings addressing antisemitism in New York City, including a prayer vigil held last week by two Orthodox Jewish schools outside Gracie Mansion. It also marks a shift towards more community advocacy within the scope of UJA's work. According to Hindy Poupko, UJA's executive vice-president for community strategy and external relations, the rally aimed to ensure that the Jewish community's narrative is not overshadowed during the UN General Assembly.
Despite the significance of the event, a small group of counter-protesters from the anti-Zionist group Neturei Karta became increasingly loud as the evening wore on. The demonstration highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Jewish community in addressing antisemitism. The event was part of a broader effort to raise awareness about the issue and push for greater action from world leaders.
The rally serves as a call to action for world leaders to take antisemitism seriously. With the UN General Assembly underway, the event aimed to ensure that the issue remains on the global agenda. As the Jewish community continues to face growing threats, the rally's message of unity and solidarity serves as a reminder of the need for collective action against antisemitism.
Key points
- The rally was organised by United Jewish Appeal and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York to urge world leaders to address the growing threat of antisemitism.
- Several speakers criticised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, questioning his commitment to the city's Jewish community.
- The event featured survivors of antisemitic hate crimes from around the world, including Nova festival survivor Shalev Biton and George Zamot, a United Parcel Service driver who intervened in a July stabbing attack on the Upper West Side.
